Washington, Jan 30 : A group of US Senators introduced a bipartisan bill that calls on US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to develop a strategy for Taiwan to participate in the World Health Organization (WHO) as an observer, Senator Jim Inhofe’s press office said in a press release.

"US Sen. Jim Inhofe and Sen. Bob Menendez, co-chairs of the US Senate Taiwan Caucus, introduced S. 249 today, legislation calling for the Secretary of State to develop a strategy for Taiwan to regain observer status in the World Health Organization ahead of its annual global assembly later this year," the release said on Tuesday.

The legislation aims to counter China’s efforts to isolate Taiwan through robust diplomacy, Menendez said in the release.

In May, Taiwan accused the WHO of surrendering to China’s pressure after the island did not receive its invitation to the meeting.

The United States, along with many other countries, does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation and officially sticks to the "One China" policy. Despite this, Washington has kept informal relations with Taiwan and has infuriated Beijing by approving arms sales to the island.

In 1949, after the proclamation of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and being defeated by Mao Zedong’s Communist forces, Chiang Kai-shek and the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) moved the Republic of China (ROC) to Taiwan. Since then, Beijing has viewed the self-ruled island as a breakaway province. (UNI-SPUTNIK)